Considering Heartland North Trail 24BHS

[Gaffer222]

We currently have a 2005 Keystone Zeppelin Z11 Hybrid that we bought new in 05. We have done extensive research on moving into a TT with queen bed and bunks with a slide. NT 24BHS looks like it fills most of our wants and needs but a little longer than we were hoping for. We have not actually looked at one other than online as it's a new floor plan and not many out there yet. One dealer 1.5 hours away has one on order and should be coming soon. Another dealer 2 hours away has one and we need get over there to take a look. RV wholesalers can order and we have a quote. Hoping the local dealer will come close to the RVW pricing but willing to go 11 hours to OH or have it shipped if price is right.

Our TV is a 2007 4x4 Expedition with HD tow package, 3.73 Rear end. Any opinions on this TT with this TV. I think we will be good, just need to watch the cargo weight on the Expy.

I asked the dealer(over the phone) some of these questions but I never trust a sales guy's answers. Anyone have info on the Pearl Package? It says Upgraded Fiberglass? Is it better fiberglass or just different color? Premium Graphics Package, better quality or just different from standard? Upgraded Black trim, better or just different looking? Does the Pearl package include the painted/molded Front Cap or is that a separate upgrade.

Light Weight Package: HL website says Azdel sidewalls included in this package, is this new to HL/NT or have they been using Azdel for a while. It says sidewalls so I assume the Azdel is only in the 2 sidewalls and not the front, back, roof & floor?

Mattress upgrade: Looks like this goes from standard 74" foam to a 78" pillowtop. I'm 6' so 78" is better. My question is "does the bed frame change" or does it stay the same. Curious if the in stock model at the dealer has the standard mattress can they just order the upgrade or do they need to change the bed frame also.

Any opinions on the upgrade to black fridge insert or leave standard wood grain?

Caliber Edition: Must have for us(love the pull out bumper rack)! Not sure we want or need the power jacks but we will see. I have read some stuff about them bending etc. Any opinions?

[Gaffer222]

Here is a response I received on the Heartland Forum:

[COLOR=]Please let me clear some things up for you, if I could....

1) We did use Azdel for about a year but there was a combination of issues that came up and Heartland decided to go back to Luan behind the fiberglass until we feel confident about going back to Azdel.... And Azdel did replace luan when we were using it....

2) The pillow top Mattress is a longer 78" mattress then our standard 74" mattress but we do not change the bed box size.

3) The Pearl Package is an upgraded fiberglass, Filon is a brand of Fiberglass... Heartland uses Filon 1000 glass and Filon 3000 glass.... The difference is the amount of Gel coat that is in the glass..... The pearl Package uses the 3000 and is at the top of line as far as fiberglass is concerned. This is the same glass that some of our $70,000 5th Wheels use.

4) The graphic package used to be different in the 2013 and early 2014 models but the upgraded graphic package looks so good we decided to make that standard from about Oct 2013 on.... same with the black trimmings.


Also, Flagg RV in MA has a 24BHS on there lot... At least they did last week so please call them before driving.

I hope this helps you.


Mike Creech
North Trail Product Manager

[Gaffer222]

I called Heartland back this morning as they have not emailed or called me back after several attempts.

Spoke to a rep who told me:

They not using Azdel anymore as they had delam problems. I asked if they were back to using Luan and he said they never stopped using Luan. I told him I thought Azdel replaces Luan and he said no Azdel replaces Filon. Either I am confused or he does not really know how their walls are constructed.

I asked about the upgraded mattress being 78" and did the bed frame get adjusted for that. He said the upgrade was just to pillowtop and stays the same as the foam 74". I said the website etc says it's upgraded to a 78" Pillowtop. He said yes it is. I questioned that he just contradicted himself and again he said it will be 78" I'm not confident with his answer.

He said the Pearl package includes a smoother higher gloss exterior(Filon) but was Azdel before they stopped using Azdel(correct me if I'm wrong I don't think this is correct.
I questioned the upgraded graphics, skirt & black trim and diamond plate as stated in the Pearl package description. He said all the North Trails have the same graphics, skirt, trim and diamond plate now. How is this listed as an upgrade and charging extra for it?

This may all sound like I was being rude but I was very polite and just looking for accurate info. I'm not impressed with Heartland's customer service as I am more confused than I was before I spoke with them.

[camp4ever]

The bigger you go, the closer to the "BIG RIG" section you'll be !!:S

[Gaffer222]

I sent Heartland all my question through the website on Monday and have not heard back. I called this morning and was transferred to a voice mail. I left a message and have not heard back yet. So far I'm not impressed but will give them a little more time.

I was recently looking a purchasing a Prime Time Tracer and Prime Time was very good about getting back to me several times that I called etc.

[Seattle_Lion]

Gaffer222 wrote:

SooperDaddy wrote:
Heartland tends to treat their customers and potential customers better than a LOT of other RV builders! Thats why in just a few short years they've grown to the the 3rd largest 5th wheel manufacturer in North America!

Call them and I guarantee you they will answer any questions or concerns you have. A few months ago I needed to answer some questions about a new Heartland 5th wheel my brother was going to buy, the customer service manager transfered me to the shop foreman and he answered every question I had perfectly without hesitation. Awsome!

Good luck!


Here you go!

Thanks, I sent my questions yesterday through the HL website but no answers yet. I will call tomorrow if I don't get an email or call from them.

Call Heartland customer service 877 262-8032. They are amazing.

[JJensen79]

APT wrote:
I love the slide out bike rack. I have had 2 adult bikes, 3 kids bikes two with training wheels, plus a tricycle on there. Its tight and I wouldn't put nice bikes so packed together, but we love it since we have an SUV too.

Sounds just like my setup with all of the bikes!

[JJensen79]

APT wrote:
I love the slide out bike rack. I have had 2 adult bikes, 3 kids bikes two with training wheels, plus a tricycle on there. Its tight and I wouldn't put nice bikes so packed together, but we love it since we have an SUV too.

Sounds just like my setup with all of the bikes!

[JJensen79]

You shouldn't have any problem with your trailer getting into sites. Most sites pretty deep to accommodate multiple styles of rv's so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

[eluwak]

Gaffer222 wrote:

eluwak wrote:
We love our NT! It has the Azdel construction. We don't have the Caliber Edition, and glad I didn't get it because I probably would never use that rear rack (I had to move stuff forward to get more tongue weight). Yours will have a higher starting hitch weight than ours, so you may be better off.

One nice thing about the NT line is that the entertainment wall isn't shoved right up against the mattress. I'm 6'2" and sleep comfortably in the space we have.

GL 🙂

Do you have the standard 74" matress or the optional 78"? How is it having a camper that long. How long was your previous unit? We are currently at 23' and concerned with an extra 5 feet in regards to being able to get into the type site we like to camp in along with our exisitng favorite sites. I'm not concerned with towing or backing 28', just concerned with being able to get into sites.

The rear rack solves how we will bring the bikes as our current HTT has a factory installed receiver hitch on the back for a bike rack rated for 150lbs.

We have the standard 74" mattress, and my feet hang off the end which I find very comfortable.

I'm not sure how much of a difference the 4-5' will make getting into a site, but I did have some fun getting into our site last weekend. I'm sure it will require a little more patience maybe.

As far as fitting in the site itself we've not run into any major issues since we park the TV at an angle or accross the front. When we were out last Labor Day we stayed at a site that was pretty tight, and a shorter TT would have fit better in there, but it still worked out OK.

The biggest issue I have with the trailer though is the low height. I liked it because of the low profile, but it has turned into stress because there is a lot less clearance on my unit to go through dips and up driveways. The back end has scraped the ground a couple of times when I just barely didn't make it. Some have done axle flips to fix this, and I may eventually, but for now I'm just really careful about were I go.

[APT]

I love the slide out bike rack. I have had 2 adult bikes, 3 kids bikes two with training wheels, plus a tricycle on there. Its tight and I wouldn't put nice bikes so packed together, but we love it since we have an SUV too.

[Gaffer222]

eluwak wrote:
We love our NT! It has the Azdel construction. We don't have the Caliber Edition, and glad I didn't get it because I probably would never use that rear rack (I had to move stuff forward to get more tongue weight). Yours will have a higher starting hitch weight than ours, so you may be better off.

One nice thing about the NT line is that the entertainment wall isn't shoved right up against the mattress. I'm 6'2" and sleep comfortably in the space we have.

GL 🙂

Do you have the standard 74" matress or the optional 78"? How is it having a camper that long. How long was your previous unit? We are currently at 23' and concerned with an extra 5 feet in regards to being able to get into the type site we like to camp in along with our exisitng favorite sites. I'm not concerned with towing or backing 28', just concerned with being able to get into sites.

The rear rack solves how we will bring the bikes as our current HTT has a factory installed receiver hitch on the back for a bike rack rated for 150lbs.

[eluwak]

We love our NT! It has the Azdel construction. We don't have the Caliber Edition, and glad I didn't get it because I probably would never use that rear rack (I had to move stuff forward to get more tongue weight). Yours will have a higher starting hitch weight than ours, so you may be better off.

One nice thing about the NT line is that the entertainment wall isn't shoved right up against the mattress. I'm 6'2" and sleep comfortably in the space we have.

GL 🙂

[Gaffer222]

SooperDaddy wrote:
Heartland tends to treat their customers and potential customers better than a LOT of other RV builders! Thats why in just a few short years they've grown to the the 3rd largest 5th wheel manufacturer in North America!

Call them and I guarantee you they will answer any questions or concerns you have. A few months ago I needed to answer some questions about a new Heartland 5th wheel my brother was going to buy, the customer service manager transfered me to the shop foreman and he answered every question I had perfectly without hesitation. Awsome!

Good luck!


Here you go!

Thanks, I sent my questions yesterday through the HL website but no answers yet. I will call tomorrow if I don't get an email or call from them.

[SooperDaddy]

Heartland tends to treat their customers and potential customers better than a LOT of other RV builders! Thats why in just a few short years they've grown to the the 3rd largest 5th wheel manufacturer in North America!

Call them and I guarantee you they will answer any questions or concerns you have. A few months ago I needed to answer some questions about a new Heartland 5th wheel my brother was going to buy, the customer service manager transfered me to the shop foreman and he answered every question I had perfectly without hesitation. Awsome!

Good luck!


Here you go!

[APT]

I have and love my 2011 North Trail. The Lightwieght package is a mandatory option which has changed for 2014 I believe to include Adzel. I never heard of the pearl package, but the Caliber. The regular NT has lost a few things as standard and moved to the Caliber package.

I kept the woodgrain fridge. Just a preference.

There is no front queen bed frame. Well, it's the same. Plywood on more plywood with a mattress on top. I added a 3" memory foam topper to mine. The standard one was not as bad as I was expecting.